The site is the latest plot of land previously owned by ICI to have been earmarked for development, despite lingering concerns about potential seepage from noxious substances locked within the land.

Just two months ago, environmental experts investigated a leak of a highly flammable solvent from an underground tank uncovered during another site clean-up at the nearby former plantworks, off Waterloo Street, Blackley.

Hundreds of people living nearby had complained of nausea and headaches, but Manchester City Council and owners Harrow Estates insisted the odour posed no health risk.

Stan Price, of the Hazelbottom Action Group, believes satisfactory assurances about the nature of substances contained within the sports ground site have still not been made public, and the council should "come clean."

He said: "The city council should produce an inventory of what is in this tip. If they haven't done that, what the hell are they doing granting planning permission, if they have done it, it's about time they presented it to the public."